Method and apparatus for turning and lining bags



R. J- BROWN METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TURNING AND LINING BAGS Filed April10, 1968 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. ROY J. BROWN ATTORNEY METHOD ANDAPPARATUS FORTURNING AND LINING BAGS Dec. 23, 1969 5 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed April 10, 1968 INVENTOR. ROY J. BROWN ATTORNEY R- J. BRQWN Dec.23, 1969 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TURNING AND LINING BAGS 5 Sheets-Sheet3 Filed April 10, 1968 FIG.6

ATTORN EY Dec. 23. 1969 R. J. naw 3,485,421

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TURNING AND LINING BAGS Filed April 10, 1968 5Sheets-Sheet 4 (9 INVENTOR.

E ROY J. BROWN ATTO R N EY Dec. 23, 1969 J. a owN 3,485,421

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TURNING AND LINING BAGS Filed April 10, 1968 5Sheets-Sheet 5 BY Wmb/M ATTORNEY United States Patent U.S. Cl. 22340 18Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An apparatus and method is providedwhich receives a first bay having a closed end an an open end and whichis initially turned inside out and reverses this outer first bag so thatit is turned right side in and substantially simultaneously with thereversing process lines the outer first bag by inserting a second bagwithin the first bag.

Apparatus includes a table on which are supported a plurality of outerbags turned inside out and a supporting finger structure on which anindividual bag is mounted so that the open end thereof is distended. Anelongated ram generally extending in the same direction as the bag inits supported position is arranged to engage one side of the bagadjacent its open end and by relative movement with respect to thesupport structure turn the outer bag right side in. The ram is providedwith a gripping head adapted to grip the closed end of a liner or secondbag and carry it into the interior of the outer bag during the turningprocess.

Prior to completion of the turning process spray heads are activated todeposit a coating of adhesive on an inside surface portion of the outerbag so that when it is reversed and turned right side in, the adhesivewill form a bond between the inner and outer bags. Upon completion ofthe turning and insertion process, a discharge mechanism in the form ofa plurality of rapidly rotating belts is arranged to receive anddischarge the bag-in-bag assembly. Conventional means are utilized inconjunction with the discharge mechanism to receive the completedbag-in-bag assemblies and stack them on a suitable conveyor.

Background of invention Bags of various types and sizes are used formany different purposes. Thus, bags fabricated from fabric have beenutilized for the purpose of bagging many types of products, includingfoodstuffs, where exposure to the ambient atmosphere is desirable or atleast not detrimental. Such fabric bags have been found to be resilientand strong, and relatively economical to manufacture. In proportiontotheir weight, such fabric bags have a definite advantage in terms ofstrength over other types of bags.

For commodities that are sensitive to moisture and light, bags have beenfabricated from other materials such as polyethylene sheet, a syntheticresinous material sold under the trademark Mylar, and have beenmanufactured either transparent or more or less opaque. The disadvantagewith this type bag when used by itself is that its strengthcharacteristics leave much to be desired in that tension imposed onunions between separate layers of the bag tend to rupture the bag andsharp points on commodities bagged tend to puncture the bags. Thesedisadvantages have been obviated to some extent by inserting suchsynthetic resinous bags within fabric bags, but such insertion processhas ordinarily required hand operations that are costly in labor andtime. Accordingly, it is one of the objects of the present invention toprovide an apparatus and method for producing a bag-in-bag assembly.

3,485,421 Patented Dec. 23, 1969 "ice For ease and economy ofmanufacture, fabric bags are normally manufactured by laying a foldedpiece or strip of fabric together and sewing the peripheral edgesthereof, leaving one peripheral edge unsewed to form the open end of thebag. As thus sewn, it is obvious that the bag is in an inside-outcondition. The problem, therefore, exists of reversing the bag orturning it so that the bag is right side out, in which latter conditionthe portion of the material beyond the stitching around the peripheraledges lies inside the bag, thus providing a neat and finished appearanceto the fabric bag. A machine for automatically effecting such turning offabric bags is illustrated and described in United States Patent No.2,295,940. However, efficient automatic machinery for effecting theinsertion of one bag within another while substantially simultaneouslyturning the outside bag so that it is right side in its not believed toexist, and such a machine is useful in many industries. Accordingly, itis another object of the present invention to provide a method andapparatus which automatically reverses inside-out fabric bags andsubstantially simultaneously inserts a second bag into the first bag toform an imprevious liner therewithin.

Just as fabric bags are economically fabricated from a folded strip offarbric laid one upon the other and approporiately stitched, so bagsfabricated from impervious synthetic resinous films are alsomanufactured so that a series of bags are connected end-to-endl withappropriate perforations positioned to permit tearing of one bag fromthe next adjacent bag by the mere application of tension to theperforated section of the bag. Such bags are normally arranged into acontinuous roll which when supported upon a convenient mandrel permitsremoval of one or more bags at will. It is therefore a still furtherobject of the invention to provide a method and apparatus for feedingimpervious type bags arranged in a continuous strip and supported in theform of a roll into fabric type bags initially arranged with the insideout, with insertion of the impervious bag proceeding simultaneous withthe reversal of the fabric bag.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some ofwhich, with the foregoing, will be obvious from the followingdescription and the drawings. It is to be understood however that theinvention is not limited to the embodiment illustrated and described, asit may be embodied in different forms within the scope of the appendedclaims.

Summary of invention In terms of broad inclusion, the method andapparatus for turning and lining bags includes a housing including aframework to support driving mechanisms, a structure for supporting astack of inside-out oriented fabric bags, a mechanical back-turningmechanism including support fingers for supporting a fabric bag with itsopen end distended, and a ram movable in a predetermined timed sequenceto impinge against the supported fabric bag so as to draw the closed endof the bag through the distended open end thereof, means on the ramincluding gripper heads for gripping and carrying a second bag into thefabric bag simultaneous with reversal of the fabric bag so as to form abag-in-bag assembly, a bag-discharging mechanism including means forreceiving the bag-inbag assembly from the ram, and an automatic stackingmechanism for delivery and orientation of the completed bags upon anappropriate conveyor.

Brief description of drawings FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the completeapparatus upon which completed bag-in-bag assemblies are stacked.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view taken in the planeindicated by the line 33 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of a gripping head.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of one of the gripping headsillustrated in FIG. 2 taken in the plane indicated by the line 5-5 inFIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating the manner of attachment of theouter bag, and the relationship of the ram head and impervious bag withrespect to the distended open end of the outer bag just prior toinitiation of the bag turning and lining process.

' FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 but showing the ram advancedapproximately midway during the turning and lining process.

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating the relationship between the outer bag,the inner bag and the ram that carries the inner bag into the outer bagupon completion of the turning and the lining process.

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of a portion of the apparatus thatincludes the drive mechanism, the outer housing being broken away todisclose the underlying structure and to reduce the overall length.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary plane view illustrating the ram assembly inretracted position.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary schematic view in side elevation of a modifieddelivery mechanism.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary schematic view in plan of the modified deliverymechanism illustrated in FIG. 11.

Description of preferred embodiment In terms of greater detail, themethod and apparatus of the invention comprises a housing designatedgenerally by the numeral 2, including a main portion 3, and a rearwardlyextending portion 4. The main housing portion is porvided with sidewalls 6 and 7, joined at their forward edges by front wall 8, and joinedat their rear edges by rear wall 9. The upper ends of the side, frontand rear walls are closed by top wall sections 12 and 13, the wallportion 12 being substantially horizontal and parallel with respect tothe supporting surface on which the machine is mounted, while the wallsection 13 is inclined with respect to the horizontal and forms acontinuation of top wall portion of the rearwardly extending housingportion 4.

The apparatus is provided with a bag-turning mechanism designatedgenerally by the numeral 16, including a bag-holding mechanismdesignated generaly by the numeral 17, and an elongated ram assemblydesignated generally by the numeral 18. In FIG. 2, the ram heads areshown in extended position in dash lines.

Adjacent the right-hand end of the ram as illustrated in dash lines inFIG. 2, is appropriately positioned a bag delivery mechanism designatedgenerally by the numeral 19, which functions to receive the bag from theram after the bag-in-bag assembly has been completed, and deliver thecompleted bag to a discharge mechanism designated generally by thenumeral 21, including a fiyrod mechanism hereinafter explained ingreater detail and a conveyor structure designated generally by thenumeral 22 and upon which the completed bags are stacked.

The bag-turning mechanism, including the bag-holding device and ram,together with the bag delivery mechanism and discharge mechanism,operate in timed sequence and are driven by an appropriate drivemechanism here designated generally by the numeral 23 (see FIG. 9) andenclosed within the main portion 3 of the support housmg.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 1 and 2, the bag-turning mechanism 16 isprovided with a pair of spaced fingers or bag supporting plates 26 overwhich the open end of a bag 27 is distended. Appropriate mechanismwithin a support frame 28 effects raising and lowering of the spacedplates 26 in a predetermined timed relation to operation of the ram 18nd he drive mech nism 23 to permit application of the open end of thefabric bag over the spaced plates when in raised position. As the plates26 are translated to their lower position as illustrated in FIG. 1, theymove outwardly to impose tension on the open end of the bag to effect adistended condition thereof. To accommodate bags of different width, orto increase or decrease the tension imposed on the bags, the bag-turningmechanism may be adjusted through manipulation of a handle 29 seen inFIG. 2.

Mounted for longitudinal reciprocation on the housing extension 4, andmore specifically supported on the top surface 13 thereof, is the ramassembly designated generally by the numeral 18.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, the ram assembly 18 includes front and rearbearing blocks 32 and 33, respectively, rigidly fixed to top wall 13.The bearing blocks are positioned adjacent opposite ends of the topwall, and are interconnected to each other by an elongated slide shaft34 that functions as a suport and slide journal for a cross-head 35.

The cross'head 35 is tubular in cross-section and fits snugly around theslide shaft 34 in the manner of a sleeve. At each opposite end thecross-head sleeve is provided with oppositely extending cam extensions36 and 37, respectively. The cam extension 36 is positioned to actuate amicro-switch 38 when the cross-head sleeve is in its rearmost position,while the cam extension 37 actuates a micro-switch 39 when thecross-head sleeve is in its forwardmost position. Micro-switches 38 and39 control the performance of certain functions as will hereinafter beexplained.

Forming an integral part of the cross-head sleeve is a tubular bearingmember 41, the central axis of which extends perpendicular to the axisof the cross-head sleeve. The tubular bearing member supports across-shaft that extends transversely across the top wall 13 On theopposite sides of the tubular bearing member in stub shaft portions 43and 44. It will thus be seen that as the cross-head sleeve reciprocatesalong the shaft 34, it carries the cross shaft with it for cooperationwith related structure in a manner to be explained.

In addition to supporting shaft 34, bearing blocks 32 and 33 alsosupport spindles 46 and 47, respectively, the outer ends of which arerotatably supported in appropriate bearings 48. Between the centrallydisposed bearing blocks 32 and 33, the opposite ends of the spindles arethreaded in an opposite sense, as shown Threadedly engaging andsupporting on spindle 46 on opposite sides of bearing blocks 33 are rearjournal blocks 49 and 51, pivotally connected to and supporting theassociated ends 52 and 53 of a pair of laterally spaced guide rods 54and 56, respectively.

The opposite ends of guide rods 54 and 56 are fixed rigidly to clevises57 and 58, respectively, which are in turn pivotally connected,respectively, to front journal blocks 59 and 61 threadedly engaging andsupported on the spindle 47, which, like spindle 46, is threaded in anopposite sense on opposite sides of bearing block 32. Handles 62 and 63are provided to effect selective rotation of the spindles 46 and 47,respectively.

Referring to FIG. 10, it will be seen that rotation of handles 62 or 63to effect rotation of spindles 46 and 47 will effect equal andcorresponding lateral translation of the bearing blocks 49-51 and 59-61.Such independent lateral translation is of course useful in varying theangular disposition of each of guide rods 54 and 56, with respect to thecentrally disposed slide shaft 34.

Slidably supported on guide rods 54 and 56 are ram guide sleeves 66 and67, respectively, each of which is provided with a vertically extendingpivot pin 68 upon which are journaled sleeve-like journal bearings 69and 71, slidably engaging stub shaft portions 43 and 44, respectively.

From the foregoing it will be clear that as the handles 62 and 63 aremanipulated to vary the angular disposition of guide rods 54 and 56 withrespect to slide shaft 34, the pivotal interconnection between journalbearings 69- 71 and ram guide sleeves 66 and 67 is maintained for allselected positions. Concomitantly, as the ram guide sleeves arereciprocated on their respective guide rods by recipro cation of thecross-head, the ram guide sleeves are permitted to move toward and awayfrom the slide shaft 34 because of the slidable interconnection ofjournal sleeves 6971 on stub shaft portions 43-44.

Fixed to the forward ends of ram guide sleeves 66 and 67 are ram supportplates 72, each of which supports a separate ram structure, eachdesignated generally by the numeral 73. Each ram structure includes apair of spaced parallel rods 74 fixed at one end on the ram supportplate and extending forwardly therefrom in cantilever fashion. At theirfree ends spaced rods 74 are rigidly secured to a ram head 76.

Since the rods 74 and ram head 76 are carried by the ram guide sleeves,they reciprocate with the ram guide sleeves between a retracted position(FIG. 6) and a fully extended position (FIG. 8). To lend a measure ofsupport to the ram structure during such reciprocation, the rods 74 passthrough a box-like bracket 77 mounted on each of the forward bearingblocks 5961. Each of the brackets is provided with a roller 78 impingingagainst one of the associated rods 74 so as to function as a rotatableabutment or guide.

As shown best in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, the ram head is adapted to impingeupon the bag 27 in the manner illust ated in FIG. 1, to project thebottom side of the bag through the open end thereof held in distendedposition by the spaced plates 26. As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, theram head comprises a rigid body section 81 along one edge of which isrotatably journaled a gripping thumb 82. Pivotal rotation of thegripping thumb is effected by longitudinal displacement of anappropriate actuating rod 83 disposed between the longitudinallyextending spaced rods 74. The actuating rod is preferably controlledthrough a solenoid 84 mounted on plate 72, and energized by actuating ofmicro-switch 38 to clamp the thumb in the position illustrated in FIG.5. In this position of the thumb, when the ram head is fully retracted,the thumb will have gripped a polyethylene bag (FIGS. 1, 7 and 8) toeffect insertion of the polyethylene bag inside the outer fabric bag.

As seen in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, appropriate longitudinal displacement ofthe control rod 83 will effect rotation of the gripping thumb to bringthe gripping thumb into or out of gripping relation upon the edgeportion of a polyethylene or other impervious type bag 86 positionedthereunder. With the impervious type bag gripped by the gripping thumb,it is clear that actuation of the ram assem bly to effect longitudinaldisplacement of the ram heads to the left as viewed in FIG. 1 willeffect turning of the outer bag 27 right side in, and will draw theimpervious bag gripped by the gripping thumb along with the ram heads.

In the operation of the machine the closed end of the impervious typeinner bag or liner 86, which may conveniently be fabricated frompolyethylene film, is attached or positioned under the gripping thumb 82by an operator at an appropriate time in relation to the position of theram head. In general, the polyethylene liner is first gripped by thegripping thumb, and then a fabric bag is mounted on the spaced plates26. This relationship of the fabric bag when mounted on the plates, theram heads, and the impervious bag is illustrated best in FIG. 6 with theparts in position just prior to activation of the ram assembly to effectturning of the first or outer bag 27 and insertion of the impervious bag86 or liner thereinto. I

For proper orientation of the outside or fabric bag on the spaced plates26, it is desirable that a supporting surface be provided which willsuport the fabric bag in extended form as illustrated best in FIGS. 1and 6.

For this purpose, a hollow framework having a top surface 91 is providedupon which each fabric bag 27 may be laid while the open end thereof isbeing placed upon the speed plates 26. The framework is preferably inthe form of an elongated hollow channel the interior 92 of whichprovides a passageway through which may be drawn the impervious bag 86.As previously discussed, the impervious bag is preferably one of aseries of interconnected polyethylene bags which are adapted to be drawnthrough the passageway 92 after passing over a guide pulley 93 (FIG. 1)positioned on the framework so as to change the direction of the seriesof polyethylene bags from a horizontal orientation to a verticalorientation.

From the guide pulley 93, a series of polyethylene bags extenddownwardly into a hollow container 94 in which a number of bags areloosely contained, and from which they are withdrawn by tension appliedto the end of the series of bags by the gripping thumb 82. A quantity ofthe polyethylene bags are deposited in the container 94 from a roll 96appropriately supported on a pair of rollers 97 and 98. The roller 98may appropriately be connected to a drive mechanism (not shown) whichmay selectively be operated to deposit :a number of bags within thecontainer.

It will thus be seen that activation of the driving mechanism 23illustrated best in FIG. 9, will effect longitudinal translation of theram assembly 18 with the ram head 76 on the end thereof and to which,through the use of gripping thumb 82, the first of a series ofimpervious polyethylene bags is attached. Preferably, as indicated inFIGS. 2 and 10, there are a pair of ram heads spaced so that thepolyethylene bag may be gripped at each opposite corner and drawn evenlyinto the outer bag. Once activated, the ram progresses forwardly,imposing tension on the polyethylene bag and pulling the series of bagsforwardly through the passageway 92, and simul taneously causes thelower reach or side 10 1 of the outer or fabric bag to be drawn inwardlythrough the open end of the bag as illustrated best in FIG. 7. At thesame time, the end of the bag that lies extended upon the surface 91moves forwardly toward the bag-turning mechanism by virtue of the factthat the side 101 of the bag is being projected forwardly toward the bagdelivery mechanism 19.

Referring to FIG. 9, the ram is projected forwardly through theutilization of appropriate linkage extending between the cross-head 35and a gear quadrant 102 mounted on shaft 103 appropriately reciprocatedin oposite directions in predetermined timed sequence by a rack 104. Therack in turn is pivotally mounted on a flywheel 106 journaled on a shaft107, with rotation of the flywheel being effected by an appropriatedrive means such as an electric motor (not shown).

Rotation of the flywheel 106 also elfects raising and lowering of thespaced plates 26 through appropriate linkage 108, 109, 112 and 113, asshown best in FIG. 9. Likewise, link 114 pivoted at one end on thequadrant 102 and at its other end pivotally connected to a crank lever116 which in turn is fixedly attached to a shaft 117, effects rotationof cam plate 118 which controls displacement of cam follower 119. Thecam follower is preferably diamond-shaped, with one apex pivoted as at1.21, andtan adjacent apex supporting cam roller 122. The cam roller 122operates on cam surface 123. and displacement of the cam followereffects longitudinal displace ment of the connecting rod 124 connectedto the apex of the cam follower opposite apex 121. Pivotal movement ofthe cam follower is resiliently restricted by the compression spring126.

It is desirable that the spaced plates 26 impose a predetermined amountof tension upon a bag placed thereon to retain the open end of the bagin distended condition. The link 114, cam plate 118, cam follower 119,cam roller 122 and connecting rod 124 cooperate one with the other toinsure that the tension may be adjusted appropriately to accommodatebags of different Width. To this end, the upper end of the connectingrod 124 is pivoted intermediate the ends of an indexing quadrant 127.One of the quadrant is provided with a stub shaft 128 and the other endis provided with a series of apertures 12'9 bearing in sequence theindices 130 constituting the numerals 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1.

The apertures are adapted to receive a pin 131 fixed in the end of aplunger 132, the other end of which extends into a tube 133. A spring(not shown) contained within the tube impinges against the plunger toproduce a rotative moment about the upper end of the connecting rod, andthus exert more or less pressure against a tension beam 134 adapted tomove up 'and down within a slot 136 formed in frame 28. The tension beamcontrols the amount of tension to be applied to a bag of any givenwidth.

Adjustment of the mechanism is effected with a fabric bag draped uponthe spaced plates 26 when the plates are in their lowermost position. Toeffect adjustment, the handle 29 is rotated until the plates 26 hold theopen end of the bag in distended position and until a pad 137 on thetension beam just touches the stub shaft 128. The length of theconnecting rod 124 is then adjusted by appropriate adjustment of athreaded member 138 until all of the apertures 130 lie equidistant fromthe pivot point 139 of tube 133.

With the parts adjusted as described, tension on a given bag may beincreased or decreased by pivotal move ment of the tube 133 to place theindexing pin 131 in an aperture 130 having a smaller or larger indexnumber. When increased tension is required, as for heavier bags, the pinis set in a higher numbered aperture. For very light bags, requiringless tension, the pin is set in a lower numbered aperture. The index pinshould preferably be set in the lowest numbered aperture that willprovide the minimum tension required to just prevent the bag fromslipping off the spaced plates 26 before the bag is fully turned.

Fabric bags are manufactured in different lengths. For instance, bagsmay be manufactured having a length of 26, 30, 36, 40 and 45 inches. Inorder to accommodate bags of these different lengths, and in order toinsure that the open end of the bag draped over the spaced plates 26 isreleased by release of the tension holding the plates 26 in distendedposition just prior to or coincident with the ram head reaching itsoutermost position, the cam plate 118 is provided with a plurality ofembossed indices as indicated, designating the different lengths of bagsnoted. Thus, in the illustration, with the cam set opposite the numeral40, the mechanism is set to handle bags having a length of 40 inches,and the tension on spaced plates 26 will be released by the tension beam134 just prior to or coincident with the ram head reaching the end ofits travel. In this manner, the open end of the bag Will slide off thespaced plates freely instead of being pulled therefrom under tensionwith the attendant danger of ripping or shredding the open end of thebag. This position of the parts is illustrated best in FIG. 8.

To insure that the liner or impervious second bag 86 remains in properposition within the outer bag 27, means are provided on the apparatusfor depositing a layer of adhesive on the inside surface of the outerbag before the outer bag is released by the spaced plates 26. For thispurpose, as illustrated best in FIGS. 1 and 2, a pair of spray heads 141are mounted on opposite sides of the open end of the bag as it liesdraped on the spaced plates 26. The spray heads are connected bysuitable conduits (not shown) to a supply of adhesive, and activation ofthe spray heads is timed to occur just prior to withdrawal of the drapedopen end of the bag from the spaced plates 26.

It will of course be understood that the bag-turning process is acontinuous process, and the elapsed time between substantially completeturning of the outer bag 27, as illustrated in FIG. 8, and withdrawal ofthe turnedback open edges of bag is only a matter of a few seconds.During this extremely short interval the spray heads are activated todeposit a predetermined amount of adhesive on the inner surface of thebag adjacent its open end so that when the bag is completely turned theadhesivecoated surface of the outer bag lies next adjacent thepolyethylene liner contained therewithin.

Inasmuch as the polyethylene or other impervious liners constitute bagsthe opposite ends of which are connected in a continuous series, baggripping means 142 are provided associated with the passageway 92 andthe polyethylene bags moving therethrough to grip the polyethylene stripof bags so as to impose tension on an appropriate line of perforationsdefining the extremities of one bag from the next adjacent bag. The baggripper mechanism 142 is likewise adapted to be operated in timedsequence with application of the adhesive so that complete turning ofthe outer bag and removal of the open end thereof from spaced plates 26and separation of the inserted bag from the next succeeding bag occursubstantially simultaneously. Any suitable linkage (not shown) may beconnected to the bag gripping mechanism to effect actuation thereof.

In the present instance the gripper head 142 is movably disposed on ashaft 143 adapted to move upwardly in response to abutment by aprojecting lug 144 on the cross-head 35. In this manner, inasmuch as thelength of the ram assembly is fixed, and since the extent ofIongitudinal displacement thereof is also fixed, a predetermineddisplacement of the ram assembly will effect upward movement of thegripping head 142 to lock the strip of polyethylene bags against furthermovement.

If desired, the parts may be proportioned so that the griping headretains the strip of polyethylene bags gripped while the bag deliverymechanism removes the completed bag-in-bag assembly from the ramassembly. In this aspect of the invention, it may be desirable that thepolyethylene bag gripper assembly retain the strip of polyethylene bagsgripped While the delivery mechanism imposes tension on the bag-in-bagassembly to effect separation of the inner bag from the next succeedingbag.

With the ram assembly at its outermost position as indicated in dashlines in FIG. 2, the delivery mechanism 19 is arranged to frictionallyengage the surfaces of the outer bag and draw the completed bag-in-bagassembly from the ram assembly and carry the bag downwardly intoposition for the flyrod assembly 21 to deposit the completed bag-in-bagassembly on conveyor 22.

In general, and in the interest of brevity, the delivery mechanism 19may be similar to the corresponding mechanism illustrated and describedin United States Patent 2,295,940. In the instant apparatus, as shownbest in FIG. 9, means have been added to the delivery mechanism toeffect a counting function as completed bag-in-bag assemblies are drawnthrough the delivery mechanism. For this purpose, a beam 146 is providedpivoted at one end on the frame 28 and at its other end pivoted to theactuating arm 147 of a counter 148.

Axial displacement of the beam and consequent pivotal move-ment of theactuating arm of the counter is effected by pivotal movement of a lever149' in response to rotative movement of cam plate 118. As shown best inFIG. 9, rotation of the cam plate effects transverse pivotal movement oflever 149 about a pivot point 151. Such pivotal movement results in theupper free end of the lever 149 abutting lug 152 fixed on beam 146.Thus, with every actuation of the ram assembly to produce a bag-in-bagassembly, and the subsequent drawing of the bag-in-bag assembly throughthe delivery mechanism 19, the counter will be actuated and record thefact that a bag-in-bag assembly has been completed and drawn through theapparatus.

In some circumstances it may be desirable to draw a specific number ofbags through the delivery mechanism before the flyrod mechanism 21 isactivated. When this is the case, the delivery mechanism 19 is providedwith a ratchet 153 provided with a channel 154 cooperating with theactuating button 156 of a micro-switch 157. The ratchet is driven by apawl 158 arranged to engage appropriate teeth on the ratchet and advancethe ratchet wheel a predetermined increment every time a bag is drawnthrough the delivery mechanism. The channel 154 is proportioned inlength to permit the passage of a predetermined number of bags beforethe micro-switch is actuated. Such actuation of the micro-switch may beutilized through an appropriate cable 159 to activate the flyrodassembly 21 and conveyor 22.

As indicated above, the delivery mechanism 19 may be of a typecorresponding to the delivery mechanism illustrated in Patent 2,295,940,or it may be of modified design as illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, to beexplained hereinafter in greater detail. The delivery mechanism asillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 9 includes pulleys 161 and 162 over which istrained an endless belt 163. One reach of the endless belt is caused toimpinge upon the outer periphery of a second endless belt 164 trainedaround a main drive pulley 166 driven by pulley 167, which in turn isdriven from an appropriate motor pulley not shown. A suitable fixedframework 168 supports the pulley and belt assembly.

The closed end of the bag-in-bag assembly is delivered by the ram headinto the bight between the endless belts 163 and 164 until frictionalengagement of the belts on opposite sides of the bag-in-bag assemblycause the bag-inbag assembly to be drawn between the belts and E of theram assembly. Continued rotation of the belts carry the bag-in-bagassembly through the delivery mechanism and deposit the bag-in-bagassembly on the fiyrod assembly 21. Tension of the main belt connectingthe drive motor with pulley 167 is adjusted through adjustment mechanism169 in the manner taught in United States Patent 2,295,940.

In the embodiment of the delivery mechanism illustrated schematically inFIGS. 11 and 12, the use of endless belts has been dispensed with infavor of a pair of primary take-off rollers 171 and 172, secured forrotation with shafts 173 and 174 which are appropriately journaled onframework 168. The primary take-ofi rollers work in conjunction with twospaced pairs 176 and 177 of secondary take-.oif rollers 178-179 and181-182, respectively. The pairs of secondary rollers 176 and 177 arepositioned adjacent opposite sides of the top surface 12 of theapparatus, supported on drive shafts 183 and 184, while the pair ofprimaiy rollers are positioned midway between the opposite sides asshown.

' In relation to the secondary rollers, it will be noted that theprimary rollers are positioned to engage a bag-ln-oag assembly midwaybetween its sides, while the secondary rollers grip the bag-in-bagassembly along its side portions. In point of time, the primary rollersengage the bag-in-bag assembly prior to its engagement by the secondaryrollers.

To drive the delivery mechanism, a motor (not shown) drives pulley 186on primary roller 172 through belt 187. The drive speed of the motor andperipheral velocity of the roller 172 are selected to match velocity ofadvancement of the bag-in-bag assembly by the ram, thus insuring awrinkle-free bag-in-bag assembly. It will thus be seen that when theclosed end of the bag-in-bag assembly is presented to the secondarypairs of rollers 176 and 177, the bag-in-bag assembly will be fullyengaged by the primary roller and will be presented to the secondaryroller in a flat condition.

The pairs of secondary rollers are smaller in diameter than the primaryrollers, yet the secondary rollers must revolve at a rate compatiblewith the rate of advancement of the bag-in-bag assembly to insure awrinkle-free bag-inbag assembly. The pairs of secondary rollers aredriven at the proper speed and in the proper direction by a belt 188extending around pulley 189 on shaft 184. Primary drive roller 171 isdriven in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 11, byfrictional engagement with the periphery of primray roller 172. Toenhance such frictional drive, the primary rollers may be knurled orprovided with a tire formed fom a mateial having enhanced frictionalcharacteristics. Secondary rollers 179 and 182 are driven, in the samemanner, by frictional engagement of their adjacent peripheral surfaceswith the driving secondary rollers 178-181. From the secondary rollersthe completed bag-in-bag assemblies are deposited as before onappropriate fiyrod means 21 working in conjunction with the conveyor 22.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that a method and apparatus isprovided which quickly and economically produces a bag-in-bag assemblyin which the inner bag or impervious liner for the outer bag isadhesively retained within the outer bag. In most instances, the outerbag will be formed from an appropriate woven fabric. To a greaterextent, all of the functions of the machine are carried out in a timedsequence, with the only functions to be performed by an operator beingthe placement of the polyethylene bag under the gripping thumb 82, andplacement of the open end of the outer fabric bag on the spaced plates26. With the machine in continuous operation, the operator then timeshis movements with the timing sequence of the machine so that the entireoperation is carried out without interruption.

The details of the structure described can be modified from thatspecifically shown and described herein, and, accordingly, the foregoingdescription is not to be construed in a limiting sense, and the actualscope of the invention is to be in accordance with the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I now claim as new and wish toprotect by letters Patent is:

I claim:

1. In apparatus for turning a first bag normally having open and closedends and inside and outside surfaces that are initially oriented so thatthe inside surface is out and the outside surface is in whilesimultaneously inserting a second bag into the first bag, thecombination comprising:

(a) means for holding the first bag so that the open end thereof isdistended;

(b) means for projecting the closed end of the first bag through theopen end thereof while the open is held distended so as to turn the bagright side out; and

(0) means for inserting a second bag into the first bag simultaneouswith projection of the closed end of the first bag through the open endthereof to produce a bag-in-bag assembly.

2. The combination according to claim 1, in which means are provided forapplying adhesive to an inside surface portion of the first bag in timedrelation to said means for projecting the closed end of the first bagthrough the open end thereof so that when the second bag is fullyinserted in the first bag a portion of the second bag is placed incontact with the adhesive.

3. The combination according to claim 1, in which means are provided toremove the bag-in-bag assembly from the first bag holding means in timedrelation to completion of said bag-in-bag assembly.

4. The combination according to claim 1, in which said means forinserting the second bag into the first bag includes a grip headoperable to grip the closed end of the second bag and place it inassociation with the closed end of the first bag after the closed end ofthe first bag has been projected through the open and distended endthereof.

5. The combination according to claim 1, in which said means forprojecting the closed end of the first bag through the open end thereofincludes an elongated rain having a head thereon adapted to projectthrough the bag holding means and carry the closed end of the first bagtherethrough, and said means for inserting the second bag into the firstbag includes a grip head operable to grip the closed end of the secondbag and carry it through the open end of the first bag.

6. The combination according to claim 1, in which means are provided tosupport the first bag in extended position prior to projection of theclosed end through the open end thereof, and means are provided tosupport the second bag in extended position in juxtaposition to thefirst bag.

7. The combination according to claim 1, in which said second bag isfabricated from a synthetic resinous material, and means are provided tosupport a plurality of such bags and feed said bags sequentially intimed relation to completion of a bag-in-bag assembly.

8. The combination according to claim 1, in which power means areprovided operatively connected to the bag holding means and bagprojecting means to selectively efiect timed operation thereof.

9. The combination according to claim 3, in which said means forremoving the bag-in-bag assembly from the first bag holding meansincludes a pair of primary take-off rollers and two pairs of secondarytake-off rollers adapted to successively grip the bag-in-bag assemblyupon completion thereof.

10. The combination according to claim 3, in which said means forremoving the bag-in-bag assembly from the first bag holding meanscomprises a delivery mechanism including a pair of endless belts havingcontiguous surface areas moving in unison and forming a bight to gripthe bag-in-bag assembly upon completion thereof.

11. The combination according to claim 4, in which a pair of said gripheads are provided spaced apart adjacent opposite corners of said secondbag.

12. The combination according to claim 4, in which said second bag isone of the series of joined bags, each bag havng its open end joined tothe closed end of the succeeding bag and adapted to be severed byapplication of tension therebetween, and means operable to selectivelygrip a succeeding bag in timed relation to completion of the bag-in-bagassembly to impose tension on the union between the bag being insertedand the succeeding bag to effect separation of said bags.

13. The combination according to claim 5, in which said ram head andgrip head are both carried on said elongated ram, and drive means areprovided to continually reciprocate the ram from a retracted position inwhich said grip heads grip said second bag to an extended position inwhich said ram heads turn the first bag right side out and said gripheads release the second bag.

14. The combination according to claim 7, in which said support and feedmeans for said plurality of synthetic resinous second bags includes aframe for rotatably supporting a roll of such material, a hollowcontainer into which a predetermined number of said second bags may bedeposited from said roll thereof, and a means including a hollow channelfor supporting a first and second bag in extended juxtaposed position.

15. The combination according to claim 9, in which said primary rollersare arranged to grip the bag-in-bag assembly intermediate its side edgesand said secondary rollers are arranged to grip the bag-in-bag assemblyadjacent its side edges, said primary and secondary rollers beingproportioned and arranged to uniformly propel the bag-in-bag assembly.

16. The method of producing a bag-in-bag assembly comprising the stepsof (a) supporting a first bag turned inside out so that its open end isdistended;

(b) supporting a second bag by its closed end in juxtaposition to thefirst bag; and

(c) effecting relative movement of the second bag with respect to thefirst bag whereby the second bag impinges against the first bag andcauses the closed ends of both bags to be drawn through the open end ofthe first bag so that the first bag is turned right side out and thesecond bag lies disposed within the first bag.

17. The method according to claim 16, including the further step ofapplying adhesive to an inside surface portion of the first bag beforethe first bag is turned right side out.

18. The method according to claim .16, including the further step ofapplying tension to said second bag just prior to termination of saidrelative movement between bags whereby the open ends of both bags areplaced in juxtaposition.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS TRAVIS S. MCGEHEE, PrimaryExaminer H. A. KILBY, JR., Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 938, 36.01,35

